I'm running my downspouts underground and wondering for those of you that use gutter screens or guards, which do you prefer? I found some that have the holes but also a mesh, which I like the idea of because I have a maple tree and get the helicopter seeds.... Besides those I seen the foam triangle shape thing that goes in the gutter, the wire brush looking thing that's round, etc... Also I see a lot of them snap on the gutter, then go under the shingles... Any issue with these? Thanks for the input

Larryh86GT

03-25-2013 07:55 PM

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I put these drop in aluminum gutter guards on my 300+ ft. of gutter about 10 years ago and it has worked well and is still in good condition. I have a maple tree nearby also and it keeps my gutters from clogging from the seeds. But depending on what you want to spend I am sure there are better products out there.

sh40674

03-25-2013 08:39 PM

Ya that is the style I'm seeing a lot... Biggest thing is wondering if it affects anything having the style that snaps on and goes under the shingles

Windows on Wash

03-26-2013 08:23 AM

RainDrop is my personal favorite. Very durable and easy to install.

mj12

03-29-2013 11:22 AM

those metal mesh drop in s are probably your best option, they will last for ever, screw them in with stainless steel screws. Screens tend to lift up the singles which is bad, or stuff collects on top of the screens and rots the facia wood. You still need to check your roof and downspouts regularly. No screen system works entirely. The expensive ones may or may not work better the the cheap ones. The big box plastic screens have gotten to cheap to even install.

creeper

03-29-2013 12:38 PM

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3 years and still doing the job well

sh40674

03-29-2013 02:13 PM

Those go under shingles or across the gutter? Can't really see

mj12

03-29-2013 03:43 PM

leaf relief sets against the back of the gutter, the holes are small so depends on the pitch of your roof

Nailbags

03-29-2013 09:59 PM

None they don't work. They work if you have broad leaf trees like maple and such live were you have fir and hemlock and they don't work, roof steeper then a 8/12 or greater not going to work and water won't go in the gutter. Less than a 5/12 pitch and not enough to wash off the debree from the screens.

mj12

03-29-2013 10:49 PM

It would be fine if screens did not work, problem is they partially work. In the end you have a gutter that is a total mess. If it is high up and a steep roof, now you have a total disaster. I have a locust tree in my yard, without screens it will fill up with little leaves and stems in a matter of days. The screens keep it clean between cleanings.

sh40674

03-31-2013 03:10 PM

So you're saying the gutter screens don't work? I don't have a steep roof... Just looking for something fairly cheap that will keep helicopters out... So I'm gathering I want to stay away from the kind that slip under shingles?

creeper

03-31-2013 11:20 PM

In my case those 'smart screens 'slip under the shingles. There are maple and birch trees nearby. The leaves and helicopters just slip right off

747

04-01-2013 04:22 AM

Climb up on the roof with a leaf blower. Its the way i clean my gutters.:laughing: Those helicopters clogged my downspot last year. Had to take one of them apart. I hate those things. Then make me get up on the roof.

paintdrying

04-01-2013 09:43 AM

What I do is i have those metal grated screens as well. The helicopers fall in and all stick straight up. On a very dry day I rub them and they fall in. Then pull one end up on the screen and blow them all out. Just depends on the volume you are getting. Some houses the gutters will fill in five minutes, some houses the debris goes down the drain. I hate when people spend a large amount of $$$$$$ and the screens do not work. If you can just get away with cleaning them that is your best bet. What commonly happens is people put screens on thinking now they are protected and stuff gets un der the screens and grows and now you have a seriuos mess.